Nick Symmonds and the City of Springfield Announce the 5th Annual World’s Only Straight 800m on July 5th.

by Nathan Woods

The Springfield 800 Presented by Dole Packaged Foods moves its date to attract the athletes and visitors in the community.

On July 4th, the communities of Eugene and Springfield will be fully alive with Independence Day. Also over at Historic Hayward Field, the top U.S. men and women 800m runners will be racing in the finals in attempt to make an Olympic Team. For our Co-Founder, Nick Symmonds, will be going after his 3rd Olympics.

The day after, no matter what happens on the track, we are celebrating the sport with an epic event. Nick, the City of Springfield, Dole Packaged Foods and us, are all inviting you to Downtown Springfield for Run Springfield Night and the World's Only Straight 800m Road Race.

Started in 2012, the event that is usually in the fall after Symmonds’ season is over, is being moved up several months to join the excitement and the festivities surrounding the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials – Track and Field. This year’s Straight 8 will be the day after the finals in the 800-meters for both the men and women.

"This is the world’s only straight 800m race and we are happy, for the first time, to have it during the best week of track and field,” says Symmonds. “I can’t imagine a better community and better event to take place the day after I attempt to make my third Olympic team.”

Unlike a typical 800-meter race– which is two laps around an Olympic sized track, runners of all levels will be able to test themselves on a straight road course with no turns. Waves of runners will be staggered every 5-10 minutes and will include a youth wave, a walker wave, open men and women, master’s men and women, and the Run Gum Elite Men and Women.

For the first time, there will also be a Dog 800 wave, where pet owners and their dogs race to see who is the fastest duo.

The race will join Run Springfield Night and the City’s invitation for fans and guests of the Olympic Trials to visit downtown Springfield during the only night off from competition at Hayward Field. For the second time, the event is partnering with CASA of Lane Country to raise awareness and funds for abused and neglected children in the area.

“This event not only lets community members engage with elite athletes, while focusing on fitness, it has allowed us to raise money for important non-profit organizations in Lane County all while having a blast!” said Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg.

Festivities will begin at 4:00pm with a street festival featuring local vendors with the races starting at 5:30pm. Registration for the race is $8 for youth (17 and under) and $10 for adults. Limited Edition event shirts will also be for sale with registration.